Rotary engine.



No. 869,146. IPATENTEDOCT. 22. 1907.

' N. R.-SMITH.

ROTARY- ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1905.

2 SHEEN-SHEET 1.

1 m rl WITNESSES INVENTUR NormanR. mith,

HIS ATTORNEY.

No. 869,146. PATENTED OCT. 22. 1 907.

' N. R. SMITH.

R0 RY ENGINE. I APPLI GAT ILED SEPT. 11, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSESJ INVENTDR. A)! Norman R. Smith.

rrrrn s mples rnn r onmen NORMAN B. SMITH, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Retary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary engines, and comprises the novel parts and combinations of parts hereinafter particularly defined in the claims.

The object of my invention is to improve and simplify such devices and particularly to do away with all reciprocating parts.

In the drawings accompanying herewith I have shown, and in the following specification will describe my invention embodied in the form which is now preferred by me, the same being that shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of the assembled engine. Fig. 2, is a section on a parallel plane through the steam passages of one of the casing heads. Fig. 3, is an end elevation showing the gears connecting the shafts of the various rotative heads.

I have shown my engine as having five rotative heads, each having three lobes, as I consider this a desiiable number, although the same principles may be embodied. in an engine having a different number of lobes and heads. One of these rotative heads, as l, is placed centrally of the others, which are grouped about and contacting with the central head. The heads 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are carried respectively on shafts 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50, which are journaled in suitable bearings in the casing heads, and each has a gear G, secured thereto outside the casing, said wheels intermeshing and insuring uniform turning of the various heads. Each head has its periphery divided into an even number of segments, preferably each of equal angular extent. These segments are alternately of a greater and a lesser radius, thereby forming segmental projections and recesses, each having circular peripheries. These projections may appropriately be called lobes. I have shown each head as having three such lobes. The number of lobes employed may vary from this if desired. The number of lobes on the different heads may vary provided the wheels correspondingly vary in size and the lobes will intermesh. The rotative heads are placed at such a distance apart that the outer or peripheral surface of a lobe on one head will tightly contact with the peripheral surface at the bottom of a recess on the other head.

Each head is provided with two' sets of ports if the engine is to be capable of running in reverse directions. These ports extend from the end faces of the heads to the surfaces connecting adjacent peripheral segments, that is to the surfaces connecting the parts of larger and smaller radius, the same being lettered 15. The two sets of ports open at the end faces of the heads, each in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed $eptember 11. 1905- $erial No. 278,024..

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

its own respective annular zone, and the ports of the same set are distributed within their zone in angular position corresponding with that of the lobes. The innor set of ports a, in the central head l, register at the proper time with ports 0 in the casing head, while the outer set of ports f, register with portsf in the casing head. The number of ports in the rotary heads correspond with the number of lobes possessed by said head, while the number of ports in the casing head correspond with the number of other rotary heads with which this head co-acts. In the example illustrated this gives three ports 0 and f for the central head 1, and the same number of corresponding ports a and d, for the outer rotary heads 2, 3, f, and 5, while for the inner head there are four ports a, and j", in the casing head and one port 0 and (Z for each of the outer heads. In the space swept over in common by the lobes of the inner head 1, and each of the outer heads 2, 3, 4, and 5, are placed ports h, extending through the face of the casing head and communicatingwith exhaust spaces H, in said head. There are similar exhaust ports 1' and i for each of the outer heads 2, 3, 4, and 5, communicating by passages i with the spaces H. These are uncovered by the passage of the lobes to exhaust the steam after it has been used to turn the rotary heads. The ports 71 are for use while turning in one direction and the ports i while turning in the other direction. Those ports 0, d, e and f, which are not being used as supply ports may be used as exhaust ports, but the ports h, i and i form additional and freer exhaust ports.

The steam supply pipes may be, and preferably are, connected with the spaces A and A lying on opposite sides of the casing between the cylinders containing two of the outer rotary heads, as is shown in Fig. 1. They may however, be connected with the spaces B and B in one of the casing heads. The exhaust pipes may be similarly connected either directly or indirectly with the two spaces D and D between the casings for individual heads.

The operation of this engine is as follows: Starting with the'parts in the position shown in Fig.1, the point a of the head f, (which is turning left-handedly), has reached the point b at one side of the interruption in the casing, thus closing the space 6. It is, of course, to be understood that the contact between the periphery of the circular segments 11 and 12, and also of the surfaces 11 with the casing, are sufliciently close to be steam tight. At the point in the rotation of the head where the space 6 is closed, the portf in, the rotary head begins to open the port f in the casing head, thus admitting steam to the space 6. The pressure of this steam has no rotative effect upon the head 4, as the surface 11 upon which it acts is concentric with its shaft 40. It

' does however, act upon the surface 15 of the head 1,

proceeded to the point where the corner a of the head 1 is leaving the corner 1) ol the casing. The port f through which this space has been supplied with steam has passed the corresponding port f and is closed. The conditions at space S are further advanced, the steam having been partially exhausted, this having been done through both ports 7i and 6. With the advance of the head 1 to the point where the corner a oi head 3 has reached a corner b of the casing, steam is admitted and acts upon the surlace 15 of the head 1 to turn it. There is always at least one of these faces in action on thehea-d 1.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 a lobe of the head 1 is shown as closing the interruption in the casing opposite the head 2. The space 24 is then closed and steam is admitted through the port 0 in head 2 and acts upon the surface 15 to turn the head 2. The same action is shown at a more advanced stage in regard to space 23 and head 3. This action proceeds in turn with all the heads 2, in, el and 5. 1n the engine as shown there are 12 impulses given the central head 1 during each revo lution and three for each of the outer rotary heads, making 24 impulses for each revolution.

If steam admission be shil'ted from one side to the other, as from space B to space B or inversely, the direction oi rotation is reversed.

By the arrangement in which the number 01 lobes on the heads and the number of outer heads are, one odd and the other even, the impulses overlap each other so that there is no dead center. Either ol these factors may be odd ii the other is even without affecting this result. Both may be odd or even without rendering the engine inoperative, but the operation I do not consider quite as favorable under these conditions. The engine is reversed by shifting the steam supply from one side to the other. This is done by a valve in the steam pipe and wholly independent oi any valve iorming an essential part of the engine.

There are no movable valves about the engine to get out ol order. Each rotary head is its own valve. There are no reciprocating parts to accelerate and retard and consequently the engine will run smoothly at all speeds and the speed limit is determined only by the capacity of the parts to resist the centriiugal strains produced and the ability to supply steam. It also provides an enormous power in a small space. All contacting or fitting surfaces are of simple shape which may be cheaply produced on standard machines.

What I claim and desire td secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other said rotative heads having ports in the body thereof.

2. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact between the respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius 011 the other, said heads having ports connecting with the spaces lying without the segments of smaller radius, and cylindrical casings surrounding said heads.

'3. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact between respective heads being between scginents oi the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, said heads having ports extending from their end surfaces to the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, and casings inclosing said heads.

at. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotativc heads, each having Imriphoral segments alternately of a larger and or a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the I others, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and gments of the smaller radius on the other, said heads having two sets of ports extending'lrom their end faces to the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, the end face open ings of said ports in each set being in a common annular zone, said zones dill ring for the respective sets, and a cas ing inclosing said rotative heads.

5. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally 01 and in peripheral contact with the oth ers, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, said heads having ports extending from their end faces to the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, a casing inclosing the said heads and including casing heads having ports adapted to register with the ports in the rotative heads during dclinitc arcs or their rotation.

0. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and in peripheral contact with the others, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius 011 the other, said heads having two sets of ports extending from their cnd faces to the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, the end face opening of the ports in any set being in a common annular zone, said zones differing for the respective sets, a casing inclosing said rotative heads, and having two sets of ports each adapted to register with its respective set of ports in the rotative heads at definite points in their revolution.

T. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rota tive heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and in peripheral contact, with the oth ers, said contact between respective heads being between segments oi the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, said heads having ports extending from their end faces to the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, a casing inclosing the said rota tive heads and having ports adapted to register with the ports in the rotativc heads during definite arcs of rotation and also having ports adapted to communicate directly with the space without the segments of smaller radius at points between said arcs of rotation.

S. In a rotary engine, in combin tion, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and in peripheral contact with the 0th ers, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, said heads having two sets of ports connecting their end faces with the spaces without the segments of smaller radius, the casing having complementary ports therefor, said ports being adapted to act oppositely and alternately as exhaust and supply ports.

9. In a rotary engine, in combination, a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral circular segments alternately ol' a larger and of a smaller radius, whereby lobes are formed, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact between respective heads being between segments of the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, the number of lobes on a head and the number of heads co-ae'ting with the central head being even for one and odd for the other, and a casing inclosing said rotative heads, said casing and heads having ports to control the admission and exhaust of steam.

10. In a rotary engine, in combination, a central rotative head and a plurality of similar rotative heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments of different radii and coacting to each serve as abutmcntsior another head, said heads having ports connecting their end faces with the surfaces connecting segments of difterent radii.

11. In a rotary engine, in combination, a central rotative head and a plurality of similar heads grouped about said cen'tral head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments of different radii and co-acting to each serve asabutments for another head, a. casing inclesing said heads and casing having ports at the end surfaces of the heads adapted to supply and remove the steam from the acting spaces between said heads.

12. In a rotary engine, in combination, a central rotative head and a plurality of similar heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments of different radii and co-acting to serve as abutments for another head, a casing inclosing said rotative heads said heads having ports leading from their end faces to the surfaces between the segments of diilerent radii and heads for the casing having steam distributing ports and passages adapted to register with the ports in the rotative heads.

13. In a rotary engine, in combination, a central rotative head, a plurality of similar heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments of different radii and co-acting to serve as abutments each for the other, said heads having ports opening at their end faces, an inclosing casing for said heads having steam chest spaces between adjacent outer rotary heads, and easing heads having steam ports and passages connecting the ports in the rotative heads with said steam chest spaces. I

I11 testimony whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature this (3th day of September, 1905, in the presence of two witnessesv NORMAN R. SMITH.

Witnesses WM, B. TYLER, H. L. Rnyxonns. 

